Straight from the digital files of The Evening Sentinel, courtesy of The Ansonia Historical Commission, this week we take a look back at 1930, the year Ruth Wakefield of the Toll House Inn in Whitman, Mass., invented the chocolate chip cookie. Popular songs this week were “Happy Days Are Here Again” and “Puttin’ on the Ritz.” Frozen food king Clarence Birdseye was granted a groundbreaking patent for his innovative method of quick-freezing food.
Fun Fact: In 1924, Kleenex was invented and advertised as a cold cream remover. It was rebranded in 1930 after many customers reported using the product primarily for blowing their noses.
Here is what was happening in our Valley!
Monday, Aug. 11, 1930
Judge Lectures Train Pelters
ANSONIA – The cases of eight boys, charged with throwing stones at railroad trains, entering freight cars and trespassing on railroad property were heard in the juvenile court this morning by Judge Carlos H. Storrs. The youngsters were rounded up by R. H. Kingsley, captain of the railroad police, who explained to the court that railroad employees and passengers have been endangered by missiles hurled at passing trains.
Judge Storrs severely lectured the eight boys and impressed upon them the fact that repetition of such annoyances will not be tolerated.
Blaze In Spector Furniture Storage
ANSONIA – A blaze which is believed to have started from a bonfire in an adjoining yard, caused damages estimated at $700 to a furniture storage shed of Simon Spector at 415 Main St. this morning. An alarm from box 37 some time before 11 o’clock summoned the Eagles and the Websters, the fire apparatus being quick in responding.
According to information secured from Fire Chief James J. Minch, paper and other rubbish was burned in an adjoining yard this morning. It is believed the fire in some way reached the building where the furniture was stored.
Savings Bank Completes Handsome New Iron Fence
DERBY – The Derby Savings bank has completed a handsome ornamental iron fence enclosing its enlarged site acquired by the recent removal of the small brick structure next door on Main Street, formerly occupied by the Western Union. The fence, nearly eight feet high, adds much to the appearance of the bank property.
Complain Of Boys At Yale Boathouse
DERBY – Chief Thomas Van Ettan of the local police department issued orders this morning that anyone found bathing at the Bob Cook boathouse of the Yale University Athletic Association would be arrested. The order grew out of a complaint that boys have been trespassing on the property, swimming off the dock and throwing stones at the windows, causing considerable damage.
Welcome Relief
SEYMOUR – The decided change in the temperature, which began just before noon Sunday, brought welcome relief to Seymour people. That such a change in the weather could be brought without a heavy shower falling was wondered at, and inquiries were many as to the cause of the decided change brought about. People were pretty well fagged out by the continued hot spell, and many went away Saturday to the high sections of the state to get away from the heat.
Products Hard Hit By Drought
SHELTON – Shelton market gardeners have been especially hard hit by the present drought and hot wave. In fact, garden produce through the section is in a bad way because of the weather, but Shelton farmers are worse off than any others because they specialize in such produce.
Sweet corn, tomatoes, beans, cucumbers and peppers are drying up. Not only has the total crop of all these vegetables been reduced, but the size and quality of the individual products has deteriorated greatly because of the weather.
Tuesday, Aug. 12, 1930
Start Filling Bins
ANSONIA – Local coal dealers started today to fill the bins of the various schoolhouses with their winter’s supply. The coal will all be in by the time school opens.
Dining Room Suite To Be Awarded At Hull Wednesday
DERBY – The “surprise night” feature at the Commodore Hull theater tomorrow evening will be the awarding of a beautiful, ten-piece dining room suite to some patron. Lee Brothers, the progressive furniture dealers of 57 Elizabeth St., have again cooperated with Warner Brothers and Manager Oakley of the Hull in making possible the giving away of so valuable a prize.
700 Chicks Killed By Fire
SEYMOUR – Baby chicks to the number of 700 were killed early yesterday morning at the farm of Henry Steller at Arethusa Springs. A fire that broke out in one the chicken houses caused a still alarm to be sent in and the members of the Citizen’s Engine Company responded.
The time was 2 o’clock in the morning, and the fire was thought to have been started by one of the brooders. The blaze got a good start, and the smoke and flames put an end to 700 chicks about one month old. Outside of the loss of the young chickens, there was little damage, the firemen managing to make short work of the fire soon after their arrival.
Fire Department Saved House
SHELTON – The Huntington Fire Company saved the house of Kay Rehnberg on Huntington Street Monday morning. While burning rubbish in the garden, the strong wind caused the fire to spread to a haystack near the house. The smoke rolled up and a good-sized blaze was soon to be seen. An alarm was sent in by the operator of the Huntington Telephone Co. and very soon several members of the fire company and their splendid equipment were on the scene, and were able to put out the blaze and save the house.
Wednesday, Aug. 13, 1930
Set Grass Ablaze Under Automobiles
ANSONIA – A crowd of several hundred persons gathered about the car of the Pacific Whaling company last night and many seated themselves upon the north wall of the bridge so that they could see the bright lights and not miss a trick. Some of them, however, tired of picking out those they knew in the crowd, began to light matches and throw them down into the parking place. A patch of dried grass under two cars caught fire, and the machines were endangered until Officer Fred Hummell, who was on duty at the place, succeeded in extinguishing the blaze. Whether or not the torch throwers on the bridge realized the seriousness of starting the fire is a question, but serious results might have ensued but for the timely intervention of the policeman.
Lefty Crowley Is Knocked Out
ANSONIA – Lefty Crowley, whose recent debut into the rings has set local sporting circles agog, went down like a Roman gladiator in the second round of a three-round battle with Joe Herman of Wallingford at the White City Stadium at Savin Rock last night.
Crowley, who has a mighty left, but whose defensive tactics might be improved upon, landed Herman a blow in the first round and floored him for the count of nine. In the second round, the pair offered the spectators a delightful spectacle, weaving about like Dutch windmills.
In the second round, while Crowley was engaged in bringing up one from the floor, the Wallingford boy wound up like Grover Cleveland Alexander and Crowley’s chin met it. It was a k.o.
Floor Will Have 250 Tons Concrete
DERBY – Interstate inspectors continue to congregate daily in the vicinity of Elizabeth and Third streets to watch the construction of the new building for the Derby Gas and Electric Co. All seem to feel well repaid, even those who spend hours at it, and well they may, for the process is interesting to watch. Some 35 employees of Charles Smith and Sons, prominent local building contractors who are performing the big construction, scramble over the growing construction like flies, each intent on their own jobs. Hundreds of steel wires and rods, together with countless pieces of metal and wooden pieces or the cement molds and framework go into place almost as if by magic.
Many At Playgrounds
SEYMOUR – The delightful weather since Sunday when the thermometers took a decided drop, is adding to the pleasures of the children at the public playgrounds in the park and there is great fun there every day. The change in the weather was welcomed by them, as they are now privileged to engage in sports that were tabooed last week, because of the sweltering heat.
During the warm spell, the swimming pool was the favorite place.
Brush Fire On Kneen Street Yesterday Afternoon
SHELTON – A brush fire shortly before 2 o’clock yesterday afternoon, which started in a lot in the rear of the home of Antonio Todios at 151 Kneen St., threatened to spread to a barn which is used as a chicken coop. The grass, which was tinder dry, burned rapidly and would have spread to the barn had it not been promptly put out by the Echo Hose company.
Thursday, Aug. 14, 1930
Watches And Kodak Taken From Maple Street Home
ANSONIA – Two watches and a kodak were stolen from the home of J.R. Steeves, 56 Maple St., during the absence of the family yesterday afternoon.
Mr. and Mrs. Steeves left in the afternoon for an automobile ride and when they returned, found their domicile had been entered. The only things missing were two watches and a kodak. The person who entered the place apparently considered that the watches and kodak could be most easily disposed of and nothing else was taken.
No Billboards For River Road
DERBY – The Derby Civic Committee of the Woman’s club has taken the initiative in endeavoring to keep the new River Road free from the billboard nuisance. Hitherto, the road had always been in such poor condition that it was not one of the desirable places of advertisement. Now that the new road has been finished, the traffic has increased, and the billboard monster has begun to rear its ugly head, much to the distress of public spirited citizens who wish to see the scenic beauties of the place – the tree lined river on the one hand and rolling hillside on the other – without having to see what cigarettes to smoke, what gasoline to buy or what brand of soda pop to patronize.
Derby Dollar Days Friday-Saturday
DERBY – Derby Dollar days will be held Friday and Saturday of this week. The event is announced as an occasion “that will greatly increase the buying power of your dollar.” New, lower prices on all classes of new merchandise, and clearance prices on summer merchandise, make this an outstanding event among the many money saving sales which the Derby merchants have held. The merchants participating include Allis and Co. Inc., The Fair, Howard and Barber, Bennett’s Hardware, Nick’s Capitol Meat Market and Derby Fur and Dress Co.
New Iron Fence
SEYMOUR – An order has been placed for the fence that is to be erected on South Main Street in front of the Congregational Church cemetery. The part of the old wooden fence that was there has been removed and the new fence will be of iron and wire, which are becoming so popular now.
The contributors of the cost of the fence were made by a number of local people, whose relatives are interred in the old burial ground.
Door Being Repaired
SHELTON – One of the large doors of the Echo Hose company recently damaged by the chemical on its way to a fire is being repaired by the Beardsley Building company.
Friday, Aug. 15, 1930
Fountains Work 2 Hours On Fire At Westwood Park
ANSONIA – A still alarm sent in about 8 o’clock last night summoned the apparatus and firemen of the Fountain Hose company to Westwood Park to extinguish a blaze in the dump on the hillside. The blaze proved a stubborn one, burning deep under the surface of the dump. A stream of water under pressure from the pumper cut deep into the bank, but it was two hours before the fire was extinguished.
Joy Ride In Truck Halted By Police
DERBY – In the city court this morning, Theodore Driscoll was fined a total of $105 and given a suspended jail sentence of 30 days as a result of a joy ride this morning in a truck belonging to the Ansonia Water company. Driscoll was fined $100 on a charge of driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicants, and $5 for driving without a license. He was given a jail sentence of 30 days for taking a motor vehicle without the permission of the owner.
Annual Clambake Rain Or Shine
SEYMOUR – The seventh annual outing and clambake of the Seymour Chamber of Commerce will be held tomorrow, and it is an event that the members and their friends have been awaiting for the past several weeks. The bake is to be at River View Farm. The bake will be held rain or shine. The advance sale of tickets has been good, and it is expected that the attendance, including the guests, will number over one hundred.
Smithy Soon To Give Way To Gas Station
SHELTON – The city’s only blacksmith shop, located at the northwest corner Coram Avenue and Bridge Street and conducted by Samuel Grozinsky, will soon give way to modern conditions as there is to be a gasoline station erected there. At the June session of the Board of Aldermen, a certificate of approval was granted to W. J. Donovan to maintain a retail gasoline stand there.
The smithy, known as one of the old landmarks in the city, has passed its usefulness for the horse is fast disappearing from the streets of the city. The only horses being used are in the country, but they are few in number. The only business concern in the city that uses horse drawn vehicles is the bakery of B. H. Wetherby on Howe Avenue.
Tinfoil Ball
SHELTON – Frank Wesolowski of Huntington Center, one of the thousands in the state who are collecting tinfoil for the Shriners’ Hospital for Crippled Children at Springfield, Mass., left a large ball of tinfoil at the police headquarters last night. The ball, which was cleverly rolled by Mr. Wesolowski, contains cigar and cigarette wrappers and other foil taken from gum and tea packages. The ball weighs 39 pounds.